If Offbeat is up your Avenue, Leominster boutique may be the place for you

LEOMINSTER -- Offbeat Avenue might be one of the city's newest stores, but it's really more of a blast from the past.

"I don't think there's anything else quite like us in Leominster," co-owner Michelle Biscotti said. "Everything we have is vintage. We really cover most decades."

The boutique sells vintage clothing, housewares, furniture and other kinds of bric-a-brac. Biscotti said a majority of it originates from the 1950s to the 1980s, though the inventory does dip into the earlier half of the 20th century as well.

"We look for vintage items that are unusual, beautiful, cool, funky, or all of the above," co-owner Marguerite McGrail said.

Items for sale at Offbeat Avenue, a new vintage boutique located at 139 Central Street in Leominster. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / Ashley Green

"We carry a full range of eclectic items, including vintage clothing for men and women, vintage bar ware, vinyl albums, collectibles, vintage sewing patterns, kitschy items, books and ephemera, as well as vintage jewelry and accessories."

The pair collect most of their inventory through auctions, estate sales and yard sales, though they don't view themselves as being a consignment shop. However, Biscotti said they are open to the possibility of donations.

This is the first brick-and-mortar store either McGrail or Biscotti has opened on her own. The pair, who had previously spent time working in retail, launched Offbeat Avenue after the success of their online sales.

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"For years, we've enjoyed shopping at vintage stores ourselves, so we thought it would be fun to have our own," McGrail said.

"I wouldn't say we're catering to a specific group, just people who want to decorate with a cool or funky vibe," Biscotti said. "A lot of times, it's people trying to buy things they remember from their past or something from their childhood their parents might have had."

Since opening last week, Biscotti said the store has received a steady flow of customer traffic over the weekend and has continued to have success in its online sales.

Items for sale at Offbeat Avenue, a new vintage boutique located at 139 Central Street in Leominster. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / Ashley Green

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